Smart Sports Tracker

Smart Sports Tracker

Sensor-Based Tracker for Rackets, Bats, Sticks, Helmets & Sports Gear

Silentronics provided solution for a compact Smart BLE Sports Equipment Tracker that can be attached to sports equipment such as cricket bats, tennis rackets, hockey sticks, helmets, and sports gear. The tracker combines BLE connectivity, motion sensing, and impact detection to monitor usage, movement, impacts, training activity, and equipment location through a connected mobile application.

☞ System Architecture

The tracker captures motion, orientation, and impact data from sports equipment using an onboard IMU sensor and transmits it to a mobile app over BLE 5.0. The mobile app provides activity history, impact logs, training analytics, and equipment finder support, with optional cloud synchronization for advanced analytics.

Supported Equipment

• Cricket Bat
• Tennis Racket
• Hockey Stick
• Helmet
• Sports Bag / Sports Gear

☞ Hardware Development

The hardware was designed as a compact, lightweight, rechargeable BLE tracker that can be mounted on a variety of sports equipment without affecting usability or player comfort. The design focuses on low power operation, motion sensing accuracy, compact size, and reliable wireless connectivity.

Hardware Specifications

• MCU: Nordic nRF52840
• Sensors: Accelerometer + Gyroscope (6-Axis IMU)
• Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0
• Battery: Rechargeable Li-Po, 100mAh
• Battery Life: Up to 7–10 days
• Charging: USB Type-C
• Operating Temperature: –10°C to 60°C
• Dimensions: 36mm × 26mm × 9mm
• Weight: ~12g

☞ Firmware Development

Custom embedded firmware was developed to enable real-time motion capture, impact detection, BLE communication, equipment activity logging, and mobile synchronization. The firmware was optimized for battery efficiency, reliable sensing, and smooth interaction with the mobile application.

Firmware Features

• IMU data acquisition and motion tracking
• Equipment movement / orientation monitoring
• Impact and shock detection with event logging
• Usage session tracking
• BLE data streaming to mobile app
• Activity history synchronization
• Equipment finder / proximity support
• Battery monitoring and power optimization
• LED status indication and device state management
• Low-power standby and wake-up handling

Data Captured by the Tracker

• Motion and orientation patterns
• Swing / stroke / usage events
• Impact intensity and timestamp
• Daily / weekly activity usage duration
• Connection status and battery level
• Last-seen / proximity information for equipment finder

☞ Mobile Application

A dedicated mobile application was developed to provide athletes, coaches, and users with an intuitive dashboard for equipment activity monitoring, impact event review, training analytics, and equipment finder support. The app communicates with the tracker over Bluetooth 5.0 and presents real-time as well as historical insights.

Mobile Features

• Dashboard with usage summary
• Activity history and training analytics
• Impact event logging
• Equipment finder / anti-loss support
• BLE pairing and device management

Compatibility

• Android
• iOS

☞ Sports Use Cases

• Cricket Bat: Swing analytics and training usage
• Tennis Racket: Swing activity monitoring
• Hockey Stick: Usage tracking and motion logging
• Helmet: Impact event detection
• Sports Gear: Anti-loss and finder support

☞ Tools & Technologies

• Nordic nRF52840 • BLE 5.0 • 6-Axis IMU • Embedded C • Li-Po Battery • USB Type-C • Android / iOS App • Motion Analytics • Impact Detection